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Forest Hill Village

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Posted by Tatiana
September 12, 2007

Spanning a short stretch of Spadina Rd. around Lonsdale Ave., Forest Hill Village is part of Forest Hill, the neighbourhood bordered roughly by the Cedarvale Ravine on the west, Avenue Rd. on the east, St. Clair Ave. on the south and Briar Hill Ave. on the north. One of the most affluent areas of the city, Forest Hill is famous mostly for its luxurious mansions, but there is a forest (well, perhaps merely a sizeable grove) of taller buildings around its edges, particularly in the south-west.

Admittedly, the neighbourhood does not score too many points for cultural diversity. According to the 2001 census, 90% of its population is white (primarily Jewish and Anglo-Saxon), though the number of visible minorities is (very) slowly increasing.

Traditionally known for upscale shopping and dining, Forest Hill Village underwent some significant changes in the last few years. Several stores and restaurants moved out of the area, leaving unsightly abandoned storefronts behind (though new business are starting to move in and fill up the space), and a few indie businesses got squeezed out by chain operations. Nevertheless, the area retains a remarkable "village" feel. Located away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, it is rarely a shopping destination for out-of-the-area visitors. Instead, it serves as a gathering place for the local residents: from flocks of spoiled teenagers to little old ladies from the nearby nursing homes.

Like many la-di-da districs, FHV has its share of pretentious overcharging mediocre establishments, as well as an overabundance of certain "luxury" services (how many spas and frame shoppes does a neighbourhood need, anyway?). However, there are several spots of note that any locale would be proud to call its own. These include:

Mashu Mashu
A relative newcomer to the neighbourhood, this lively Middle Eastern spot has almost instantly become a local favourite. Cheerful and friendly service, reasonable prices, generous portions and above all great food (falafel aficionados, take note; great salads too) have earned this restaurant a crowd of devoted regulars (yours truly included).

Kitsch Boutique
Approaching a 20th anniversary, this facetiously named fashion joint specializes in evening gowns, though it has an upstairs casual wear section. Featuring an eclectic mix of designers, Kitsch Boutique has something for all ages and wallets (check out the bargain basement). A substantial proportion of the clientele is local, but many arrive from lands as remote as Vaughan and Richmond Hill for that perfect prom dress.

The Village Chill
This tiny hole-in-the-wall ice cream parlour packs one big chill, offering 14 flavours of famous Greg's ice cream (I especially recommend ginger and of course roasted marshmallow), and as many of frozen yogurt. It is well loved by the locals, as evinced by relatively short but ever-present line-ups on hot summer afternoons.

Banfi
Despite its inconspicuous location away from Spadina, the Village's main drag, this little ristorante is filled to capacity nearly every night - I'm afraid this secret hasn't been kept very well. Offering authentic Italian fare in a relaxed rustic atmosphere, Banfi is considered by some Toronto chowhounds to have the best traditional pizza in town.

Forest Hill Barber Shop
While women are relaxing in FHV's many spas and salons, the men gather at the legendary Forest Hill Barber Shop. If there was ever a quaint village shop in an urban setting, this is it. Area's oldest business (est. 1931!), it is a meeting place as much as a haircutting joint: many regulars drop by just to chat and load up on the local news. A business with a heart, Forest Hill Barber Shop has been organizing an annual charity golf tournament for the last 12 years, raising over half a million dollars for SickKids.

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The Bishop Strachan School and Upper Canada have students, both day and boarding, from all over the world. I don't see how that makes Forest Hill "not diverse." Or, do these kids not count, because they don't really live there?

Posted by: CynthiaC at September 18, 2007 4:32 PM

Diversity can be measured in so many ways. I live on the border of Annex/Forest Hill as I am just a smidgen south of St. Clair on Bathurst, and to my east I have luxury and just a stone's throw to the west I have Vaughan St which I would say make the st. clair/bathurst intersection one of the most diverse in the city.

Additonally, I would say that these students aren't really a mixed bag to me as those schools are mostly reserved for wealthy families.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 18, 2007 5:12 PM

Additonally, I would say that these students aren't really a mixed bag to me as those schools are mostly reserved for wealthy families.

Posted by: Magda O at September 18, 2007 5:16 PM

I had never been to Forest Hill Village before, but found myself hanging out on the corner of Lonsdale and Spadina at noon on Sunday waiting for my girl, when it struck me that this area seemed to have a high "SUV/douchebag" quota.

Posted by: bmatt at September 18, 2007 6:40 PM

One night during a nothing-to-do hike through the area (I live nearer Casa Loma) I "discovered" FHV. I thought it was absolutely gorgeous, and it was very "unexpected" as I had been walking alone up Spadina from Davenport and having seen relatively little in the way of commerce along the way.

Posted by: Drew at September 19, 2007 12:05 AM

I based my evaluation of Forest Hill's diversity on two things: the 2001 census results (mentioned in the article) and my own observations. I live in the neighbourhood, walk and bike through it quite a lot - and I see very few non-whites here. And a couple of my regular bike routes go by Bishop Strachan and through Upper Canada. Most of the students I see there are still white. Of course there are other cultures represented in the area as well, but compared to other areas of Toronto the numbers are minuscule.

Posted by: Tatiana at September 19, 2007 2:36 AM

Miniscule, Tatiana? BSS is definitely more than 25% non-white, especially in the upper grades (non-whites make up the majority of boarders.) Sure, it's less than other parts of TO, but it's certainly not miniscule. "Miniscule" is less than 10%.

Posted by: Cynthia C at September 19, 2007 2:35 PM

BSS is definitely more than 25% non-white

Perhaps so, but when we are considering the total Forest Hill population, what proportion do BSS students make up? When you look at the neighbourhood as a whole, about 90% of people living there are white.

Posted by: Tatiana at September 19, 2007 4:30 PM

P.S. For those wondering, "minuscule" is a correct and in fact the preferred spelling.

Posted by: Tatiana at September 19, 2007 4:33 PM

Oh, and another thing, why is it that certain Torontonians have issues with areas that aren't "diverse?" Many parts of the GTA are not all that diverse. There are plenty of "ethnic enclaves" in this city. Or, do neighbourhoods in Markham and Brampton, which have lots of Chinese and South Asians, respectively, not count, because they are "ethnic" neighbourhoods? Seriously, people!

Posted by: Cynthia C at September 19, 2007 7:21 PM

I see no evidence in my post or in the comments that anyone is having an issue with the lack of diversity. In my post, this is merely a statement; no judgements passed.

What one might have a legitimate concern about is that the richest neighrbourhoods in the city are also the whitest, while the "ethnic enclaves" you're referring to are typically comprised of people with modest income. It is a symptom of the bigger issues like the difficulties that educated, qualified immigrants face when they try to find a job in their fields etc.

Posted by: Tatiana at September 19, 2007 7:33 PM

Tatiana,

If you consider the typical family income in the Highway 7 and 404 area "modest" then Forest Hill is merely middle class. As for the lack of diversity, well, maybe I'm just super-sensitive, but to me, any time someone says that a certain area or group is "not diverse," then it's seen as something very negative.

Anyway, I'd just like to add (to make this a legitmate Ville post), Dave's rocks (though it was called The Maison Bakery when I was going to school)

Posted by: Cynthia C at September 20, 2007 4:48 AM

If you consider the typical family income in the Highway 7 and 404 area "modest" then Forest Hill is merely middle class.

I'm not aware of 90% prevalence of any ethnicity in that region. There are many people of Chinese ancestry there, yes, but surely not that many. Correct me if I'm wrong (I don't have census figures to quote). They are a bit of a special case anyhow: they were wealthy before they ever came to Canada.

At any rate, I did not mean to start a discussion of social issues in the comments. :-) Let's just agree that I never said a prevalence of a certain ethnicity in a neighbourhood was automatically bad and leave it at that.

As for the lack of diversity, well, maybe I'm just super-sensitive, but to me, any time someone says that a certain area or group is "not diverse," then it's seen as something very negative.

I don't want to sound like a jerk, and I don't mean to be one, but that's a problem with your perception.

I must admit I like diversity because it's more fun (that's one reason I love living in Toronto), but I don't think of and don't portray its lack as something "very negative".

Anyway, I'd just like to add (to make this a legitmate Ville post), Dave's rocks (though it was called The Maison Bakery when I was going to school)

I couldn't bring myself to write anything positive about Dave's despite its popularity. It's filed under the "mediocre overcharging establishments" category, sorry. :-) Everything I've ever had there was worse than subpar. Maybe it was better when it was called The Maison Bakery.

Posted by: Tatiana at September 20, 2007 7:02 PM

I live in forest hill village, and i'm pretty sure that my girlfriend and I constitute the entire 'visible minority' population there.

Posted by: Mo at September 21, 2007 3:42 PM

Do you think it is really about ethnicity? If you ask me, I would say I like diversity, too. But I don't think Tatiana wanted to trigger a discussion about whites and 'non-whites' in the first place. Livability is what matters the most.

Posted by: Toronton realtor at October 16, 2007 11:19 AM

Hope Street Cafe is unfortunately overlooked in your review. Though prices may be high, it provides a wide variety of food offerings and tailors its menu to customer desires. Mashu Mashu, it should be noted, is owned by the same family that runs the What A Bagel empire.

Posted by: Anthony at November 1, 2007 11:19 AM

What-a-Bagel !
Rulezzz Forest Hill Village ! ! !

Posted by: Aharon Bouaron at November 5, 2007 8:45 PM

I'm not aware of 90% prevalence of any ethnicity in that region.

Nor is there 90% prevalence of any ethnicity in Forest Hill, of course.

Posted by: Disparishun at November 8, 2007 9:50 AM

I have recently moved to the Humewood area - a stone's throw away. Having lived in FHV before, I can say that there is a definite annoying crowd (the Rangerover/ sweatpant/ BSS, etc. gang) but it really is a great place to eat and get things done. All banks, shoes, clothes, grocery, drug store, hair, video. Unfortunately Irwin hardware flew the coop - that really made it a one stop hood. Banfi and Mashu Mashu are faves - Edoko and Sushi Lovers are excellent too. And yes - how can you mention the Village without What A Bagel?

Posted by: TS at November 27, 2007 4:35 PM

Fact of the matter is that the majority of the wealth in the city is "white".
Fact of the matter that you will be hard pressed to find a home in forrest hill (not condo's) that is under 1million in price.

:. The majority of the residents in Forest Hill are White.

Posted by: Randy at March 4, 2008 12:43 PM

RE: If you consider the typical family income in the Highway 7 and 404 area "modest" then Forest Hill is merely middle class.

The power and net worth of forest hill far exceeds highway that of 7 and 404 area. Just ask Ted Rogers.

Posted by: Eric at April 17, 2008 8:22 AM

RE: If you consider the typical family income in the Highway 7 and 404 area "modest" then Forest Hill is merely middle class.

The power and net worth of forest hill far exceeds highway that of 7 and 404 area. Just ask Ted Rogers.

Posted by: Eric at April 17, 2008 8:23 AM

Some people are obviously not that bright. They hammer the author for making "lack of diversity" comments when he is really trying to say it is a white neighbourhood in a polite and politically correct way. He unfortunately cannot say it in a direct statement. As for whites being the "rich", people, they had a head start, the land was distributed to white immigrants a few hundred years ago. The others are playing catch up in this country. Nothing negative or positive, just reality. Don't be so sensitive, we should are be passed this.

Posted by: Frank at May 3, 2008 7:00 PM